Episode 3: A LOOK AT THE FUTURE

In the first two episodes we saw how, when and why the sector tissue emerged and the evolution of the production techniques from the past to the present day. In this, the third and final episode, we will have a look at what we can expect from this sector in the future.

The European Union and environmental protectionThe world is continually developing, and although tissue production has reached a high technological level, we cannot ignore the evolution of the approach of the modern consumer. Whereas a few years ago buyers sought product diversification (without neglecting quality), their needs are now not only focused on diversification but on having a diversified and ecological product. Now, in 2018, the health of the planet is something that cannot be ignored. Consumers hold the health of the planet dear, and what is close to the heart of consumers should also be close to the heart of producers. That is why the growing demand for organic products is something of interest to companies that produce paper used for hygiene and health.
The European Union has aligned itself with this vision, and since the 1972 Paris agreement, has been deploying policies and funds to encourage the development of the bio-economy. The future is aimed at the protection of our planet, and the EU’s goal for 2050 is to reduce carbon emissions by 80% compared with 1990. The policies which will be implemented to reach this goal will further increase consumer sensitivity to ecological issues. European policy objectives can be reached by investing in increasingly intelligent production methods (thanks to better data management), investing in organically-based products, promoting the recycling sequence and minimising waste of material and energy.

Italian tissue producers’ commitment to the environmentBut what are our tissue companies doing to safeguard our planet?
As already mentioned in the first episode, ICT (Industrie Cartarie Tronchetti) is one of the companies that is most involved in reducing environmental impact and has proved this by adopting a greenfield approach based on respect for the environment and on the best customer service. Environmental impact is optimised by locating the best production facilities closer to the market. Investments in new facilities and technology to help reduce CO2 emissions have led to an increase in wealth in the area where the company installs the new line, which means the creation of new jobs and enhanced employee loyalty. ICT finds that making their team members aware of the greenfield policy increases their motivation to reach the sustainable environment goals set by the EU.Sofidel is also a company that has shown great interest in the environment, and in 2008 it signed up to the WWF Climate Savers programme as the first Italian tissue company and indeed the first tissue producer in the world, to do so. The programme calls for the reduction of CO2 emissions to reduce environmental impact and keep the environment healthy. The investment made in energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy meant that Sofidel managed to reduce emissions by 17.8% between 2008 and 2015. The firm again showed its commitment in 2010, when it signed up to the Global Compact, a strategic platform conceived by the United Nations for the application and promotion of fundamental human rights, employment, environmental and anti-corruption principles. In 2016, during the ceremony to mark the anniversary of WWF Italia, Sofidel’s work for the environment was recognised with the appointment of company CEO, Luigi Lazzareschi, as an Ambassador for the WWF’s fiftieth anniversary.

The future of the tissue sector thus seems to be entirely linked to green industry issues. Investing in technology like machines to de-carbonise direct emissions, helping promote recycling habits, adopting measures to improve energy efficiency and using renewable energy and resources will help to improve the eco-system. The future health of the world also depends on that.